Nearly two months after the Palisades Fire devastated Los Angeles, 2,000 residents in the Pacific Palisades finally have access to safe drinking water again, Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday.
The fire, which burned thousands of acres, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, and claimed 12 lives, left many without power and water as the city worked to restore essential services.
“This is just one step in a long road to recovery,” said Mayor Bass, acknowledging the community’s ongoing struggle to rebuild.
Water Safety Updates for Residents
- Water Quality Restored for 2,000 Residents
- LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP) launched a new online tool
- Palisades Water Quality Restoration Dashboard 📊
- Interactive map showing areas still under “Do Not Drink” advisories
- Lists area codes & water test results
Power Restored: Most homes and businesses in Pacific Palisades now have electricity, though some areas remain without power due to fire damage.
Political Fallout: Fire Chief Removal Sparks Controversy
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Fired
- Mayor Bass’s decision to remove Crowley has drawn backlash.
- Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez called the firing “outrageous and scapegoating.”
- United Firefighters of Los Angeles City President Freddy Escobar also criticized the move.
- LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson (who was acting mayor during the fire) supports Crowley’s removal.
Crowley defended her leadership in a statement over the weekend.
LADWP Under Fire: Lawsuits & Investigations Over Water Failures
Santa Ynez Reservoir Was Empty During Fire
- The 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir was under renovation at the time.
- Residents found dry fire hydrants as flames spread.
- Tragic Loss:
- Rory Sykes, a 32-year-old blind man with cerebral palsy, died when his mother couldn’t get water from a hose to save their home.
Gov. Gavin Newsom Orders Independent Investigation
“The reports of water pressure loss and the unavailable Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling,” Newsom wrote to LADWP CEO Janisse Quinones and LA County Public Works Director Mark Pastrella.
Lawsuits Against LADWP:
- Residents have sued LADWP over water supply failures.
- The LA Times reported that LADWP hired a top law firm five days after the fire with a $10 million contract to handle litigation.
LA City Council Orders Water Infrastructure Review
